What are the figures of speech in "Death, be not proud"?

Some of the figures of speech in "Death, Be Not Proud" include apostrophe, allusion, paradox, and caesura. Together, these devices create a belittling tone toward death and ultimate hope in an eternal afterlife.

Expert Answers info

Who are the experts?

Our certified Educators are real professors, teachers, and scholars who use their academic expertise to tackle your toughest questions. Educators go through a rigorous application process, and every answer they submit is reviewed by our in-house editorial team.

The poem is an example of apostrophe, addressing Death (personified) as a living being who is thus listening to the speaker. This intentionally removes the mystery or sense of superiority in the concept of death, making it seem as though death can be easily defeated.

Allusion is used in the final line. 1 Corinthians 15:26 states, "The last enemy to be destroyed is death." This both echoes the sentiments of the poem, nothing that Death is the enemy of humanity, and that Death has no power itself. Ultimately, those who believe in Christ will defeat Death through salvation and eternal life. The speaker of this poem notes that death is simply a "short sleep," after which "we wake eternally / And death shall be no more."